Insulation

Ceiling and underfloor insulation has already been compulsory since 1 July 2019. You’ll need to make sure your insulation meets the new standard.

A well-insulated property can help control condensation and reduce the chances of mould and other nasties taking hold. It’ll also make it easier for a house to retain heat - a warm house is a drier house.

In a nutshell

Didn’t insulation requirements already change?

You’re spot on, nice catch! Ceiling and underfloor insulation has been compulsory in all rentals since 1 July 2019.

To meet the healthy homes standards some existing insulation may need to be topped up or replaced.

Insulation needs to meet the R-values for your area

So, what are R-values? The “R” stands for thermal resistance. R-value is a measure of how well insulation resists heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. Living in Hokianga is a bit different from renting a house in Invercargill. That’s why the minimum standards for insulation are different across New Zealand’s three key climate zones.

Zone 1 - ceiling R 2.9
Zone 2 - ceiling R 2.9
Zone 3 - ceiling R 3.3
Nationwide - underfloor R 1.3

Map of climate zones

map of climate zones 1 2 3image

Check out the full details on the insulation standard.(external link)

Top tips

Use our online tool to check if your insulation is up to scratch

Insulation tool(external link)

Check yourself

You can check the R-value of new insulation by checking the product packaging. If you have existing insulation, check it yourself or hire an expert. Information may be attached to a beam in the ceiling or underfloor area, or may be included on the council building file.

Do it once, do it right

Save time and money by putting your underﬂoor insulation in at the same time as your moisture barrier - if you need one for the moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Ready to raise the standard?